Judaism :: Life's Ups and Downs

"A new king arose over Egypt, who did not know of Joseph" (Shemot 1:8).

Gemara Sotah 11a states: "Rab and Samuel differ in their interpretation; one said that the king was actually new, while the other said that his decrees were new. And what does it mean that he 'did not know of Joseph'? He was like one who did not know Joseph at all."

How is it possible that Pharaoh, who recognized Joseph to be a G-dly person (Ish Elokim) and even gave him his ring, for Joseph to rule Egypt, could suddenly switch to destroy the Jewish people? We know that Pharaoh acknowledged that Joseph saved Egypt from annihilation. Even a fool would have some appreciation. How could Pharaoh stoop so low?

There are potent and powerful forces within us which can take us from one extreme to the other. Within a short period of time a person can move from one who recognizes and appreciates holiness to one who wants to destroy it. These forces can take us from righteousness to wickedness in one fell swoop transforming us into someone we never thought we could be, G-d forbid.

The positive side of this is that it can also work for the good. In an instant, we can rise into the light of life, leaving behind our jaded past. On this side of the story, our inner forces are even more powerful because they have help from above. Chazal tells us that if one wants to defile himself then "the way is open" but if one wants to purify himself, he "receives help from heaven"!

e are foolish to think that we cannot change ourselves. This negative attitude actually stems from laziness and a heavy heart. If we would just shake ourselves for a moment to start over again we could literally shoot up to the heavens!

The Midrash Rabbah Song of Songs 5:3 says: "The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: 'My sons, present to me an opening of repentance no bigger than the eye of a needle, and I will widen it into openings through which wagons and carriages can pass.' R. Judan and R. Levi said: The Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel: 'Let go your evil ways and practice repentance even for a flash (a blink) and know that I am G-d.' "

Application:

Ask yourself:
In what areas do I need to purify myself?
How can I reach new heights in my service to Hashem?

Give 10 quick answers off the top of your head to these sentence stems:
I have given up on ...
If I did not feel hopeless, I would ...

Based on the writings of Rav Yehuda Lev Chasman.

About the Author:

Rabbi Eliyahu Mitterhoff is the director of the Global Yeshiva Torah & Judaism Research Community. He envisions the Global Yeshiva as a great and unprecedented historic opportunity to share, learn, teach and spread Torah on a global level.